Background 

Defined as recipients of FTA 5311 funding, rural transit agencies face unique challenges in providing suitable and effective public transportation services to their customers. Limited funding, low population densities, and long travel distances contribute to difficulties in maintaining traditional transit models. To address these challenges, many rural transit agencies have developed innovative partnerships with various stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, private companies, and ride-sharing services. These partnerships leverage shared resources, integrate services, and enhance mobility options for residents in these areas. As innovative collaborations become more common, standardized approaches to forming, managing, and sustaining these partnerships would provide valuable guidance for rural transit agencies.

Synthesis Objective 

This synthesis will document how these rural public transit agencies:

• Form and maintain partnerships to improve service and cost efficiency,
• Expand service coverage, and
• Provide mobility options.

It will identify different types of formal and informal partnerships, funding mechanisms, service integration strategies, and operational challenges associated with these collaboration efforts and identify key strategies and lessons learned from rural transit agencies across the country. The synthesis will also highlight case examples that illustrate successful partnerships and their impact on rural transit efficiency and sustainability.